The Divine Currency of the Goddess: Impact of Durga Puja on the Economy of West Bengal

This article explores the role of Durga Puja in the economic dynamics of WestBengal. With massive business transactions before and during the festival and entire creativeindustries built around the annual five-day festival, Durga Puja is one of the largest contributorsin the economy of West Bengal. It is, therefore, common and reasonable to refer to thisphenomena as the ‘Durga Puja Industry’. We have discussed different components that makeup the huge business transactions and provide employment to several people every year. Wehave tried to put this economic powerhouse of present day West Bengal into historical context,and the evolution of the Goddess’ tradition as the the creator, the provider and the protector ofthe universe; as deity of the crops and the merchant.